Politics & Government
Council Meets Tuesday to Vote on Jones' Future
Three councilmen will go head to head over who represents the county's 1st District.
Tuesday's meeting of the County Council could decide the political future of one of its members, as two attempt to remove him from office.
Anne Arundel County Councilmen James Benoit (D-4th District), and John Grasso (R-2nd District) have both introduced legislation that would vacate the seat of Councilman Daryl Jones (D-1st District) of Severn. Jones was after being convicted of failing to file his taxes over a six-year period.
The county’s charter does not have any provision for removing a councilman from office, unless he or she moves out of the district. Some councilmen have said they think Jones should step down, but Jones has made no statement indicating he would do so.
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Both pieces of legislation claim that when Jones begins serving his time in federal prison, he will no longer be a resident of the 1st District. Jones' attorney Linda Schuett has argued that his temporary relocation doesn't change his permanent address.
Since the pair filed the bills, , but so far have failed to do so.
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Benoit’s proposal will require the vote of five of the seven councilmen in order to be successful. If it passes, the council will have 30 days to appoint a replacement representative for the 1st District.
The County Council meets Tuesday at 7 p.m. in their chambers at 44 Calvert St. in Annapolis.